Tropical Storm Danny isn't near hurricane force, forecasters say

Forecasters said this morning Tropical Storm Danny has weakened over the Atlantic and is barely a tropical storm.

But a tropical storm watch for the North Carolina coast remains in effect early today. Large swells from Danny are expected to produce dangerous surf and life-threatening rip currents along the U.S. East Coast during the next day or two.

The storm is centered about 355 miles south of Cape Hatteras, N.C., and moving north-northwest near 9 mph. A turn to the north with an increase in speed is expected later in the day.

Danny will be closer to the shore than Hurricane Bill as it comes near the New Jersey area, but the storm is expected to weaken enough so it won't have much more of an effect on the weather, said Greg Heavener, meteorologist for the National Weather Service.

The bulk of the rain is expected to come tonight into Saturday morning, Heavener said, with the coasts expected to be the hardest hit.

Rain totals for the weekend should be from an inch inland to closer to two inches near the coast, Heavener said, and winds are expected to be between 5 and 10 mph, with wind gusts up to 15 mph. Saturday night into Sunday may see leftover showers, but the work week should start off with dry weather, he said.